Sound recording device with commonly liftable mounting arms for a plurality of heads which are individually adjustable

ABSTRACT

A sound recording device having a fixture for supporting a plurality of recording heads to record a corresponding plurality of sound tracks on a sound record medium. A similarly corresponding plurality of independently movable mounting arm members are disposed in the fixture housing and commonly supported on a single pivot member such that all mounting arm members pivot about the same pivot axis. The recording heads are each secured to an individual mounting arm member such that each recording head is independently movable about the pivot axis toward or away from the sound record medium. The fixture also includes adjustable springs corresponding to each mounting arm member for providing each arm member with a predetermined pivot position about the pivot axis. Adjustable stop members for providing each mounting arm member with a predetermined pivotal stop position are also included in the fixture. Positional adjustments can thus be made to one mounting arm member without effecting the adjusted positions of other mounting arm members. The mounting arm members include arm lifter means provided on one mounting arm member and extending across the other mounting arm members such that the recording head mounting arms can be commonly and collectively pivoted about a single axis.

United States Patent Rauhut 1 July 24, 1973 [75] Inventor: Otto A. Rauhut, St. Louis. Mo.

[73 I Assignee: Wide Range Electronics Corporation,St. Louis. Mo.

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl.No.: 115,572

Feb. 16, 1971 [52] US. Cl ..179/100.2 CA, 179/1002 l,

[51] Int. C1..G1lb 21/02, Gllb 21/12, Gllb 21/26 [58] Field of Search 179/1002 CA, 100.2 P; 340/174.1 F; 346/74 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,649,774 3/1972 Olah 179/1002 CA 3,298,006 1/1967 Milenkovic et a1. 179/1002 E 3,119,102 1/1964 Braen et a1. 340/174.l F 2,912,519 11/1959 Simmons 179/1002 CA 2,742,536 4/1956 Uritis 179/1002 CA 2,769,037 10/1956 Dank et al.... 179/1002 CA 2,943,860 7/1960 D'Arcy 179/1002 CA 3,005,676 10/1961 Best et a] 340/l74.1 F

Primary ExaminerBemard Konick Assistant Examiner-Alfred H. Eddleman Attorney-John D. Pope [57] ABSTRACT A sound recording device having a fixture for supporting a plurality of recording heads to record a corresponding plurality of sound tracks on a sound record medium. A similarly corresponding plurality of independently movable mounting arm members are disposed in the fixture housing and commonly supported on a single pivot member such that all mounting arm members pivot about the same pivot axis. The recording heads are each secured to an individual mounting arm member such that each recording head is independently movable about the pivot axis toward or away from the sound record medium. The fixture also includes adjustable springs correspondin g to each mounting arm member for providing each arm member with a predetermined pivot position about the pivot axis. Adjustable stop members for providing each mounting arm member with a predetermined pivotal stop position are also included in the fixture. Positional adjustments can thus be made to one mounting arm member without effecting the adjusted positions of other mounting arm members. The mounting arm members include arm lifter means provided on one mounting arm member and extending across the other mounting arm members such that the recording head mounting arms can be commonly and collectively pivoted about a single axis.

16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENIED JUL 24m sum 1 0r 3 INVENTOR OTTo ARAuHu'r BY wwq A TORNEY sxmems PATENIEUJuL24|a1a sum 2 or 3 FIGB //Z 52 INVENTOR OTTO ARAUHUT ATTORNEY- SOUND RECORDING DEVICE WITH COMMONLY LIFTABLE MOUNTING ARMS FOR A PLURALITY OF HEADS WHICH ARE INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE This invention is directed to new and useful improvements in sound recording devices and more particularly to a recording head fixture for resiliently mounting one or more sound recording heads.

Filmed motion pictures are often accompanied by sound in the form of speech or music. This sound can be provided on tape for playback in a tape recorder during running of the film in a projector. However, the taped sound must generally be synchronized with the projected film.

Some movies have provision for sound in the form of a sound track superimposed on the film. Movie projectors for this type of film can simultaneously play back the sound while the picture is projected on a screen. Combined image and audio film eliminates separate sound tapes, separate sound playback equipment and the corresponding sound synchronization problems.

One known method of providing a sound track on film includes striping the film with a narrow track of iron oxide coating. This striping operation can be done before a row of pictures is printed onto the film. Sound can then be recorded onto the iron oxide stripes using known sound recording equipment.

It is often desirable to make copies of film in quantity, especially if the film is produced for mass distribution. In the movie industry picture printing devices for making copies of films are well known. These picture printing devices can print more than one identical row of pictures on a single roll of film. For instance, an 8 millimeter movie can be simultaneously printed in two rows on 16 millimeter film or in four rows on 35 millimeter film. The 16 millimeter film, for example, can then be spliced into two individual 8 millimeter movie films. Multiple row film can also be provided with a plurality of iron oxide stripes superimposed on the film so that each identical row of pictures is printed alongside a corresponding stripe. The stripes are spaced and parallel and form substantially continuous lines that extend approximately the entire length of the film. Sound can then be recorded onto each stripe in a manner which will be hereinafter described.

The source of sound used for a sound track is generally known as the master sound record and the film medium onto which the master sound is transferred is generally denominated the slave record.

Sound transfer devices for providing sound from a master record onto one or more stripes of a slave record are well known. These sound transfer devices generally comprise supporting structure for the master record and slave record and a sound transcriber for transcribing sound signals from the master record onto the iron oxide stripes of the slave record. It is common practice to record sound simultaneously onto all stripes of a multi-stripe slave record and a separate sound transcriber is generally provided for each stripe. Known sound recording devices also include a sound amplifier and transmitter for transferring sound signals from the master record to the sound transcribers. During the sound transfer operation, the transcribers engage the surface of the iron oxide stripes to magnetize the oxide coating in a disciplined manner. It is desirable that the transcriber resiliently engage the stripe due to discontinuities and surface discrepancies in the iron oxide coating. As the stripes are generally less than 1 millimeter wide, problems arise in designing and manufacturing resilient supporting structure for the transcribers of compatible size with the stripes and which supporting structure will permit simultaneous sound recording on more than one stripe.

One known sound transfer device includes a sound transcriber support fixture that comprises nine stainless steel blocks assembled together with small screws and rods to permit position adjustments of the transcriber with respect to the slave record. The multi-block fixture is complex in structure as well as expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, separate individual nineblock support fixtures must be provided for each transcriber when sound is simultaneously recorded on all stripes of a multi-stripe slave record.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a novel sound recording device, a novel fixture for resiliently mounting one or more sound recording heads on the device, a novel mounting arm for a sound recording head, a novel mounting arm arrangement in a recording head fixture for mounting more than one sound recording head, novel lifter means for simultaneously moving a plurality of sound recording heads away from a slave record, novel biasing means for resiliently urging a sound recording head toward a slave record, and a novel stop rod for simultaneously limiting pivotal movement of one or more sound recording heads in a recording head fixture. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The present invention contemplates novel means for recording sound onto one or more sound stripes provided on a slave record film medium.

In one embodiment of the invention a sound recording device is provided with a master record and a multistripe slave record. The recording device further includes a detachable recording head fixture disposed adjacent the slave record. The recording head fixture comprises a housing and a plurality of mounting arms pivotally secured thereto. The fixture further includes a plurality of sound recording heads individually secured to a corresponding mounting arm and which heads are associated with individual stripes on the multi-stripe slave record. Spring means are provided between the mounting arms and the housing to resiliently urge the sound recording head into sliding engagement with a moving slave record and the iron oxide stripes thereon. A stop bar is provided over the mounting arms to abut the mounting arms at a predetennined pivotal position thereof. Sound signals from the master record are transmitted to the individual recording heads, which heads simultaneously magnetize their associated iron oxide stripes on the slave record.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sound recording device which incorporates one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a recording head fixture having dual heads in engagement with a slave record disposed on a recording drum, the recording heads being arranged for recording on a (l-4) sound track arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a right side view thereof with the slave record and drum removed;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 (a to d) schematically illustrates a variety of slave record sound track arrangements with the recording heads therefor shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 10 is another variation of a recording head fixture wherein the sound recording heads are arranged to record on a (1-4) sound track arrangement;

FIG. 11 is another variation of a recording head fixture wherein the sound recording heads are arranged to record on a quad track arrangement; and

FIG. 12 (a and b) are simplified electrical schematics for (1 3), (I4) and quad track recording.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the present invention a sound recording device incorporating one embodiment thereof is generally indicated by reference number 10 in FIG. 1.

Sound recording device 10 includes a console 12 having a front panel 14. A pair of master record reels 16, 18, are provided one above the other on the left side of panel 14. A master record film is wound onto reels 16, 18, such that film 20 is fed from reel 16 to reel 18. Similarly, a pair of slave record reels 22, 24, including slave record film 26 are arranged on the right side of panel 14 wherein film 26 is fed from reel 22 to reel 24.

A master record transport means generally indicated by reference number 28 is provided on panel 14 intermediate master record reels 16, 18, to form a multicurved path for master film 20. Transport means 28 comprises a plurality of idlers 30 which support film 20 along its path and a pair of sprockets 32, 34, that rotationally engage perforations (not shown) at the edge of film 20 to drive the film along its path. Transport means 28 further includes pickup means 36 for receiving sound signals from master record film 20.

A slave record transport means generally indiciated by-reference number 38 is provided on panel 14 intermediate slave record reels 22, 24, to form a multicurved path for slave film 26. Transport means 38 comprises a pair of sprockets 40, 42, to drive slave film 26 along its path and also includes a plurality of idlers 44 to support slave film 26 along its driven path from reel 22 to reel 24.

The arcuate path for slave record film 26 is further defined by a pair of recording drums 46, 48, disposed one'above the other intermediate slave record reels 22, 24, Slave film '26 rides on arcuate drum surfaces such as surface 50 (FIG. 3) bounded by a drum base 54. The arrangement of recording drums 46, 48, sprockets 40, 42, and idlers 44 help to stabilize the motion of film 26 and maintain it under proper tension for sound recording purposes. A film guide 62 is provided adjacent drum 46, for instance, to insure that slave film 26 rides on arcuate drum surface 50 (FIG. 3) at a fixed distance from drum base 54.

A pair of recording head fixtures 66, 68, are secured to panel 14 adjacent recording drums 46, 48, respectively. Although description of a recording fixture will be directed to fixture 66, fixture 68 is of identical structure.

With reference to FIGS. 2 through 8, fixture 66 comprises a substantially J-shaped housing 70 made of any suitable material such as aluminum. Housing 70 includes unequal spaced and parallel side support walls 72, 74. Side support wall 72, the longer wall of J- shaped housing 70, includes a pair of oppositely disposed recessed flanges 76, 78, formed therein, each flange containing a fastener hole 80. A rear wall 82 joins side support walls 72, 74, at corresponding ends thereof to complete the J-shape of housing 70. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention housing 70 is cast in one piece. However, walls 72, 74, and 82 can be detachably secured together with suitable fasteners.

Fixture 66 further comprises an L-shaped mounting arm 84 having legs 86, 88, that intersect to form a mounting hub 90. A pivot rod 106 for pivotally supporting mounting arm 84 at hub is journaled at the opposite ends thereof in side support walls 72, 74, of housing 70. The joumaling arrangement for pivot rod 106 includes bearing collars 108, 110, rigidly secured in walls 72, 74, by fasteners 112, 114, respectively. A bushing 116 is rotatably provided on rod 106 intermediate collars 108, 110, for mounting engagement with hub 90. Hub 90 includes a slot 118 to facilitate placement of arm 84 on bushing 116. A fastener is included in arm 84 for tightening hub 90 around bushing 116.

A pivot handle 92 is formed at the free end of leg 86 and a recording head 94 of substantially cubic shape is secured to leg 88 at the free end thereof by any suitable means such as fasteners 96 that extend through leg 88 into head 94. Recording head 94 is made from any suitable high-permeable magnetic material such as one composed of 16 percent aluminum and 84 percent iron, and sold under the tradename of Alfenol. Recording head 94 includes opposed tapered sides that intersect to form a blunt recording surface 98. A head coil 99 as seen in FIG. 12(a) is embedded within recording head 94, and electrically interconnected by a wire 100 to a connector 102 provided in a recess 104 of long wall 72. Connector 102 is in turn electrically interconnected (not shown) to master record sound signal pickup means 36.

Fixture 66 further includes restraining means such a coil spring 122 disposed between rear wall 82 and leg 86. Opposite ends 124, 126, of spring 122 (FIG. 5) are disposed in cavities 128, 130, provided in rear wall 82 and leg 86 respectively. A bias adjusting fastener 132 is threadably secured in cavity 128 and connected to end 124 of spring 122.

A stop bar 134 mounted at opposite ends thereof in walls 72, 74 of housing 70, is provided over'leg 86. Stop rod 134 includes an adjusting screw 136 threadably secured therein for engagement with leg 86 of arm 84.

A second mounting arm 138 having L-shaped legs 140, 142, is provided in fixture 66 adjacent arm 84. Leg 140 is spaced from and parallel with leg 86 of arm 84. An adjusting screw 156 is threadably secured in stop rod 134 for abutting engagement with leg 140. Leg

142, which is substantially parallel with leg 88 of arm 84, is longer than leg 88 as will clearly be seen by comparing FIG. 5 with FIG. 6, which figures are drawn to the same scale. Leg 142 includes a main segment 144 and a free end segment 146 that slopes downwardly with respect to main segment 144. Free end segment 146 (FIG. 7) is wider than main segment 144 and includes an offset portion 148 that is in substantial alignment with leg 88 of arm 84.

A recording head 150 similar to recording head 94 includes a head coil 101 (FIG. 12(a) and a recording surface 152. Head 150 is fastened to offset portion 148 at the free end thereof by fasteners 154. Under this arrangement head 150 (FIG. 2) is disposed forward of head 94 and the respective fastener axes of each recording head are in skew relationship. A wire 153 elec trically connects head 150 to connector 102. Arm 138 further includes a bias spring 155, a bias adjusting fastener 157, a hub 159, a hub slot 151 and hub fastener 161 which structure substantially corresponds with that of arm 84. Hub 159 of arm 138 is pivotally mounted on a bushing 163 in spaced relationship from arm 84. Desired spacing between adjacent anns 84 and 138 is attained by tightening hub fasteners 120 and 161 to snugly secure hubs 90 and 159 on bushings 116 and 163, respectively.

An elongated arm lifter bar 158 is secured at one end thereof to leg 86 of arm 84 by any suitable means such as a fastener 160. Lifter bar 158 includes a cantilever portion 162 extending over leg 140 of arm 138. Clearance is provided between cantilever portion 162 and leg 140 as shown in FIG. 6.

In use, fixture 66 is secured to panel 14 by fasteners (not shown) provided in holes 80 of flanges 76, 78. Sound signals from master record are received by pickup means 36, amplified and transmitted to head coils in recording heads 94, 150, to establish a magnetic flux therein. FIG. 12(a) illustrates a simplified electrical schematic of the master sound signal amplifier, connector and recording head coils for a two-track or stripe recording arrangement. It should be noted that each coil is associated with a respective recording head.

A typical two track arrangement 187, 165, commonly referred to as a (l-4) sound track arrangement isfshown in FIG. 9(a). Sound is simultaneously recorded onto both l-4) tracks by arranging heads 94, 150, in'fixture 66 such that the spacing between recording surfaces 98, 152, with respect to tracks 187, 165, is equivalent to the distance between the midportions of tracks 187 and 165.

During recording, movement of master sound record 20 and slave record 26 on their respective curved paths are synchronized and recording surfaces 98, 152, of heads 94. 150, resiliently engage the iron oxide stripes on slave record 26. The magnetic flux in each recording head. is essentially focused through recording surfaces 98, 152, to magnetize the iron oxide stripes in a disciplined manner. Master record sound signals are thus transferred to the iron oxide stripe to form a sound track. Resilient biasing of heads 94, 150, by springs 122, 155, is necessary to compensate for any discontinuities or surface discrepancies in the striped iron oxide coating. Springs 122, 155, also prevent recording heads 94, 150, from bouncing on slave record 26. The closest point at which heads 94, 150, can be urged with respect to slave record 26 is determined by stop bar 134 and adjusting screws 136, 156.

Arms 84, 138, can be manually rotated about pivot rod 106 away from stop bar 134 by pushing handle 92 (FIG. 2) toward rear wall 82 of housing 70. In this manner cantilever portion 162 (FIG. 7) of lifter bar 158 engages leg of arm 138 to urge arm 138 to pivot together with arm 84 about pivot rod 106. As pivot handle 92 can move both arms due to lifter bar 158 it is unnecessary to provide a pivot handle on arm 138.

A four-track arrangement 167, 169, 171, 173, which can be denominated a double (l-4) sound track arrangement is shown in FIG. 9(d). To simultaneously record sound onto tracks 167, 169, 171, 173, second fixture 68 identical to fixture 66 is detachably secured to panel 14 adjacent drum 48. Under this arrangement the recording heads 94, 150, in fixture 66 engage adjacent tracks 167, 169, and the recording heads in fixture 68 engage adjacent tracks 171, 173. FIG. 12(b) illustrates a simplified electrical schematic of the master sound signal amplifier, connector and recording head coils for a four-track recording arrangement.

The sound recording device of the present invention can be modified wherein a fixture 164 is adapted to house four L-sh'aped mounting arms 166, 168, 170, 172, as seen in FIG. 11. Fixture 164 comprises a J- shaped housing 206 having side walls 208, 210, joined by a rear wall 212. Mounting arms 166, 168, 170, 172, each include a pair of legs 174 and 176, 178 and 180, 182 and 184, and 186 and 188 that intersect to form hubs 190, 192, 194, and 196, respectively. A pivot shaft 214 is journaled in side walls 208, 210, and arms 166, 168, 170, 172, are mounted thereon at their respective hubs 190, 192, 194, 196, with bushings that are not shown. I-Iubs 190, 192, 194, and 196, also include a slot and fastener arrangement (not shown) similar to that of fixture 66 for snugly locating arms 166, 168, and 172 on shaft 214 in spaced relationship. Recording heads 198, 200, 202, 204, are fastened near the free ends of each leg 176, 180, 184, 188, in substantially aligned and parallel relationship one with the other. Each head includes a coil 201, 203, 205, 207 (FIG. 12(b) respectively embedded therein. Fixture 164 further comprises a stop bar 216 provided over legs 174, 178, 182, and 186. Bar 216 is mounted at opposite ends thereof in side walls 208, 210, and includes adjusting screws 218, 220, 222, 224, provided thereon for engagement with legs 174, 178, 182, 186, respectively. Although not shown, a spring restraining arrangement similar to that of fixture 66 is provided intermediate legs 174, 178, 182, 186 and rear wall 212 of housing 206. Leg 186 of arm 172 includes a pivot handle 226 formed at the free end thereof. An elongated lifter bar 228 is secured at one end to leg 186 by fastener 230. Lifter bar 228 includes a cantilever portion 232 extending over each of the corresponding legs 174, 178, 182. Under this arrangement movement of handle 226 away from stop bar 216 pivots am 172 about shaft-214 such that cantilever portion 232 engages legs 174, 178, 182, to simultaneously pivot arms 166,168, 170, about shaft 214.

The arrangement of recording heads in fixture 164 is suitable for simultaneous four-track recording on the four-track slave record arrangement 175, 177, 179, 181, shown in FIG. 9(c) wherein recording heads 198, 200, 202, 204, are shown in dotted lines. The spacing between heads 198, 200, 202, and 204 in fixture 164 is equivalent to the spacing between tracks I75, I77, I79, and 181.

In use, fixture 164 is secured to panel 14 adjacent drum 46 with reels 22, 24, set up to feed the four-track slave record of FIG. 9(c) over drum 46. The electrical schematic of FIG. 12(b) can be applied to this fourtrack sound recording system.

The sound recording device of the present invention can be further modified wherein arms 166, 168, are eliminated from fixture 164 and a smaller fixture 234 is provided having dual aligned and parallel recording heads 202, 204. Under this arrangement fixture 234 is suitable for recording on a two-track arrangement 183, 185, as shown in FIG. 9(b) and commonly referred to as a 1-3) sound track arrangement wherein recording heads 202, 204, are shown in dotted lines. The electrical schematic of FIG. 12(a) can be applied to this twotrack recording system.

If desired, two identical fixtures indicated by reference numeral 234 can be secured to panel 14 with each fixture provided adjacent a respective drum 46, 48. Under this arrangement both fixtures 234 operating together would be suitable for recording on the quadtrack arrangement of FIG. 9(c). Dual recording heads 202, 204, in first fixture 234 adjacent drum 46 engage tracks 175, 177, and the dual recording heads 202, 204, in second fixture 234 adjacent drum 48 engage tracks 179 and 181.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that the novel sound recording device has many advantages in use. One advantage among others is that more than one sound recording head can be resiliently mounted in a single housing. A further advantage is that the biasing spring for each recording head can be individually adjusted by bias adjusting screws associated therewith.

A still further advantage is that movement of all heads in one direction can be controlled by one stop bar. Also the stop bar contains individually adjustable stop positions for each arm in the form of adjusting screws provided thereon. Another advantage is that the pivotal movement of one arm away from the stop bar can be used to move all the recording heads in a single fixture away from the recording drum.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the J-shaped housing for the recording heads can be constructed of two separate side wall portions detachably fastened to a rear wall portion whereby the housing can be disassembled into its component parts. Under this arrangement the pivot rod upon which the pivotal mounting arms are secured can be removed and replaced with a pivot rod having a lesser or greater number of mounting arms provided thereon. It will be further appreciated that the recording heads can be arranged to record on sound tracks of any size film by appropriately spacing the mounting arms on the pivot rod.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the sound recording device of the present invention can be used in combination with known picture printing devices and film splicers. Under this combined arrangement the sound recording operation becomes one stage in a continuous process whereby identical rows of pietures are printed on film, sound recorded thereon and the film spliced to provide separate rows of pictures for packaging.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. A

I claim:

11. A head mounting fixture for supporting a plurality of recording heads on a sound recording device to enable said recording heads to record a corresponding number of sound tracks on a sound record medium, said fixture comprising a housing having a plurality of independently moveable mounting arm members, each said mounting arm member having a pair of spaced first and second free end portions and a pivot portion intermediate said first and second free end portions, said recording heads each being secured to a respective said mounting arm member at corresponding first free end portions of said mounting arm member, said fixture further including fixed pivot means in said housing defining a longitudinal pivot axis, said pivot means commonly supporting said mounting arm members at said pivot portions for free individual pivotal movement of said mounting arm members on said pivot means, said fixture further including arm lifter means comprising an elongated member provided at one of said second free end portions of one of said mounting arm members, said elongated member extending transversely over corresponding second free end portions of the other said mounting arm members such that pivotal movement of said one mounting arm member in a first direction away from said sound record medium causes said arm lifter member to urge said other mounting arm members to collectively pivot about said pivot axis in said first direction away from said sound record medium whereby each said recording head is freely pivotable about said pivot axis individually or collectively with other said recording head members for movement of said recording head members in said first direction away from said sound record medium.

2. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim I having a pair of said mounting arm members, said mounting arm members being of symmetrical structure with symmetrically mounted recording heads.

3.A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spacing between said recording heads with respect to said pivot axis is the distance between sound tracks having an arrangement of (1-3) 16 millimeter on a sound record medium.

4. A head mountfixture as claimed in claim I having a pair of said mounting arm members, said mounting arm members being of asymmetrical structure such that one of said asymmetrical mounting arm members has said first corresponding free end portion extending laterally beyond the first corresponding free end portion of the other said asymmetrical mounting arm member to provide a predetermined lateral spacing with respect to said pivot axis between recording heads secured to the first corresponding free end portions of said asymmetrical mounting arm members.

5. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first corresponding free end portion of said one of said asymmetrical mounting arm members is longitudinally offset a predetermined amount with respect to said pivot axis and with respect to the corresponding mounting portion of the other said mounting arm member to provide a predetermined longitudinal spacing with respect to said pivot axis between said recording heads secured to said asymmetrical mounting arm members.

6. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim wherein the spacing between said recording heads with respect to said pivot axis is the distance between sound tracks having an arrangement of (1-4) 16 millimeter on a sound record medium.

7. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 further including separate biasing means provided intermediate said housing and corresponding second free end portions of said mounting arm members for restraining pivotal movement of said mounting arm members in said first direction away from said sound record medium.

8. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprise a spring member.

9. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 8 further including at least one adjustment member for moving one of said mounting arm members and one of said spring members toward or away from said sound record medium to establish a predetermined pivot position for said mounting arm member on said pivot means.

10. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said mounting arm member is substantially L-shaped, and said pivot means extend through the pivot portion of said mounting arm members at the intersection of the legs of said L.

11. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first free end portion is at one of the legs of said L and said second free end portion is at the other leg of said L, said elongated arm lifter member comprising a bar extending across said other legs of said L.

12. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 further comprising control means for limiting pivotal movement of said mounting arm members about said pivot axis in a second direction toward said sound record medium.

13. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 12 wherein said control means comprise an elongated rod disposed in said housing over said mounting arm members such that said mounting arm members abut said rod when pivoted in said second direction to a predetermined limit position toward said sound record medium.

14. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 13 wherein said elongated rod includes individually adjustable stop means corresponding to each said mounting arm member, said mounting arm members abutting against said stop means when said mounting arm members are pivoted in said second direction to respective predetermined limit positions toward said sound record medium.

15. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 14 wherein said adjustable stop means comprise a plurality of fasteners threadably secured in said elongated rod for abutting engagement with a corresponding mounting arm member.

16. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1, having four said mounting arm members, said sound record medium comprising quadruple rank film having four sound tracks, the spacing between said recording heads being the distance between sound tracks on said quadruple rank film. 

1. A head mounting fixture for supporting a plurality of recording heads on a sound recording device to enable said recording heads to record a corresponding number of sound tracks on a sound record medium, said fixture comprising a housing having a plurality of independently moveable mounting arm members, each said mounting arm member having a pair of spaced first and second free end portions and a pivot portion intermediate said first and second free end portions, said recording heads each being secured to a respective said mounting arm member at corresponding first free end portions of said mounting arm member, said fixture further including fixed pivot means in said housing defining a longitudinal pivot axis, said pivot means commonly supporting said mounting arm members at said pivot portions for free individual pivotal movement of said mounting arm members on said pivot means, said fixture further including arm lifter means comprising an elongated member provided at one of said second free end portions of one of said mounting arm members, said elongated member extending transversely over corresponding second free end portions of the other said mounting arm members such that pivotal movement of said one mounting arm member in a first direction away from said sound record medium causes said arm lifter member to urge said other mounting arm members to collectively pivot about said pivot axis in said first direction away from said sound record medium whereby each said recording head is freely pivotable about said pivot axis individually or collectively with other said recording head members for movement of said recording head members in said first directioN away from said sound record medium.
 2. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 having a pair of said mounting arm members, said mounting arm members being of symmetrical structure with symmetrically mounted recording heads.
 3. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spacing between said recording heads with respect to said pivot axis is the distance between sound tracks having an arrangement of (1-3) 16 millimeter on a sound record medium.
 4. A head mountfixture as claimed in claim 1 having a pair of said mounting arm members, said mounting arm members being of asymmetrical structure such that one of said asymmetrical mounting arm members has said first corresponding free end portion extending laterally beyond the first corresponding free end portion of the other said asymmetrical mounting arm member to provide a predetermined lateral spacing with respect to said pivot axis between recording heads secured to the first corresponding free end portions of said asymmetrical mounting arm members.
 5. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first corresponding free end portion of said one of said asymmetrical mounting arm members is longitudinally offset a predetermined amount with respect to said pivot axis and with respect to the corresponding mounting portion of the other said mounting arm member to provide a predetermined longitudinal spacing with respect to said pivot axis between said recording heads secured to said asymmetrical mounting arm members.
 6. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spacing between said recording heads with respect to said pivot axis is the distance between sound tracks having an arrangement of (1-4) 16 millimeter on a sound record medium.
 7. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 further including separate biasing means provided intermediate said housing and corresponding second free end portions of said mounting arm members for restraining pivotal movement of said mounting arm members in said first direction away from said sound record medium.
 8. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprise a spring member.
 9. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 8 further including at least one adjustment member for moving one of said mounting arm members and one of said spring members toward or away from said sound record medium to establish a predetermined pivot position for said mounting arm member on said pivot means.
 10. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said mounting arm member is substantially L-shaped, and said pivot means extend through the pivot portion of said mounting arm members at the intersection of the legs of said L.
 11. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first free end portion is at one of the legs of said L and said second free end portion is at the other leg of said L, said elongated arm lifter member comprising a bar extending across said other legs of said L.
 12. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1 further comprising control means for limiting pivotal movement of said mounting arm members about said pivot axis in a second direction toward said sound record medium.
 13. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 12 wherein said control means comprise an elongated rod disposed in said housing over said mounting arm members such that said mounting arm members abut said rod when pivoted in said second direction to a predetermined limit position toward said sound record medium.
 14. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 13 wherein said elongated rod includes individually adjustable stop means corresponding to each said mounting arm member, said mounting arm members abutting against said stop means when said mounting arm members are pivoted in said second direction to respective predetermined limit positions toward said sound record medium.
 15. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 14 wherein said adjustable stop means comprise a plurality of fasteners threadably secured in said elongated rod for abutting engagement with a corresponding mounting arm member.
 16. A head mounting fixture as claimed in claim 1, having four said mounting arm members, said sound record medium comprising quadruple rank film having four sound tracks, the spacing between said recording heads being the distance between sound tracks on said quadruple rank film. 